Recommendations for electricity companies

mrsyardbroom

I found the MPAN number for my meter and apparently it's not connected in smart mode. The information I have is

Your electricity meter isn’t working in smart mode

You have a first generation (SMETS1) electricity meter.

Your supplier can't support it in smart mode yet.

I already know that as Octopus have told me they need special software which they can get from Bulb. They were supposed to update me last week but that hasn't happened. Sending emails doesn't seem to work as they don't reply. A telephone call is on a hiding to nothing as all the agents are always busy and it took me a very long time to get through before. The last agent I spoke to was very nice but he could only make promises that didn't happen. I feel very sad if this company is offering the best service in the country.

[Deleted User]

mrsyardbroom said:

I found the MPAN number for my meter and apparently it's not connected in smart mode. The information I have is

Your electricity meter isn’t working in smart mode

You have a first generation (SMETS1) electricity meter.

Your supplier can't support it in smart mode yet.

I already know that as Octopus have told me they need special software which they can get from Bulb. They were supposed to update me last week but that hasn't happened. Sending emails doesn't seem to work as they don't reply. A telephone call is on a hiding to nothing as all the agents are always busy and it took me a very long time to get through before. The last agent I spoke to was very nice but he could only make promises that didn't happen. I feel very sad if this company is offering the best service in the country.

SMETS1 meters are being updated over-the-air. It would seem from what you are saying us that Octopus is taking over the Bulb link to the SMETS1 meters that Bulb fitted. This software is to enable them to read your meter. You can still access all the data from the meter menus.

Octopus CS is stretched at the moment: not least, because it is switching over a Million Bulb customers to its billing system.

mrsyardbroom

[Deleted User] said:

mrsyardbroom said:

I found the MPAN number for my meter and apparently it's not connected in smart mode. The information I have is

Your electricity meter isn’t working in smart mode

You have a first generation (SMETS1) electricity meter.

Your supplier can't support it in smart mode yet.

I already know that as Octopus have told me they need special software which they can get from Bulb. They were supposed to update me last week but that hasn't happened. Sending emails doesn't seem to work as they don't reply. A telephone call is on a hiding to nothing as all the agents are always busy and it took me a very long time to get through before. The last agent I spoke to was very nice but he could only make promises that didn't happen. I feel very sad if this company is offering the best service in the country.

SMETS1 meters are being updated over-the-air. It would seem from what you are saying us that Octopus is taking over the Bulb link to the SMETS1 meters that Bulb fitted. This software is to enable them to read your meter. You can still access all the data from the meter menus.

Octopus CS is stretched at the moment: not least, because it is switching over a Million Bulb customers to its billing system.

Bulb didn't fit the meter. It was installed by EDF. Bulb were able to acquire the software to read it.I didn't have to wait long to speak to Bulb agents and they kept me informed at all times about their progress. Any queries were followed up very quickly. It was one of the best customer experiences I've ever had with a company and I would have stayed with them for life if I could.  Octopus were very keen to have a meter reading but when I telephoned and the agent had spoken to his manager, his manager's manager and the technical team and their superiors, they said I couldn't send a reading. They would need to get the software from Bulb and they would update me on progress within 24 hours. I've had no answer to my emails and no update on any progress. I haven't paid for any electricity since the end of February as I don't have a March bill and I won't have an April bill ether. It's like going back to the dark ages with Octopus. I know Octopus are stretched but they have known for some time they were taking over the Bulb customers. It was up to them to put measures in place to deal with the extra work and not just leave new customers hanging. They'll be reaping the profits after all.

[Deleted User]

mrsyardbroom said:

[Deleted User] said:

mrsyardbroom said:

I found the MPAN number for my meter and apparently it's not connected in smart mode. The information I have is

Your electricity meter isn’t working in smart mode

You have a first generation (SMETS1) electricity meter.

Your supplier can't support it in smart mode yet.

I already know that as Octopus have told me they need special software which they can get from Bulb. They were supposed to update me last week but that hasn't happened. Sending emails doesn't seem to work as they don't reply. A telephone call is on a hiding to nothing as all the agents are always busy and it took me a very long time to get through before. The last agent I spoke to was very nice but he could only make promises that didn't happen. I feel very sad if this company is offering the best service in the country.

SMETS1 meters are being updated over-the-air. It would seem from what you are saying us that Octopus is taking over the Bulb link to the SMETS1 meters that Bulb fitted. This software is to enable them to read your meter. You can still access all the data from the meter menus.

Octopus CS is stretched at the moment: not least, because it is switching over a Million Bulb customers to its billing system.

Bulb didn't fit the meter. It was installed by EDF. Bulb were able to acquire the software to read it.I didn't have to wait long to speak to Bulb agents and they kept me informed at all times about their progress. Any queries were followed up very quickly. It was one of the best customer experiences I've ever had with a company and I would have stayed with them for life if I could.  Octopus were very keen to have a meter reading but when I telephoned and the agent had spoken to his manager, his manager's manager and the technical team and their superiors, they said I couldn't send a reading. They would need to get the software from Bulb and they would update me on progress within 24 hours. I've had no answer to my emails and no update on any progress. I haven't paid for any electricity since the end of February as I don't have a March bill and I won't have an April bill ether. It's like going back to the dark ages with Octopus. I know Octopus are stretched but they have known for some time they were taking over the Bulb customers. It was up to them to put measures in place to deal with the extra work and not just leave new customers hanging. They'll be reaping the profits after all.

It that case EDF and Bulb were using the same meters with a link through the manufacturer’ systems to retrieve data. When SMETS1 meters were switched to another supplier that installed, say, Secure SMETS1 meters the Aclara meter would go dumb. 

You will need to read your meters to get a bill as you could wait months for your meter to updated so that it can connect with the DCC network.

UncleK

I would also cast a vote for Octopus. A few wrinkles but nothing serious and good rates, which is what really counts. I am also two grand in debt to them and they seem quite okay with that!